Another reason I generally prefer music without lyrics is that lyrics rarely capture the exact feelings, moods and perspectives. Especially as those things all change over time - sometimes a very short time. For me abstract beats concrete in most realms of art and expression. I used to scoff at people who ask fortune tellers for their opinions or seek out some kind of divine or supernatural answers for problems in their lives. I had a small epiphany though when I realised that fortune telling can be used as a tool to understand your own deeper feelings rather than be taken at face value. In a similar way I love abstract music because without someone else's narrative pointing me in a specific direction, I only have my own feelings and internal understanding to guide and explore. It can be used as a tool to understand yourself more clearly. Some people find that difficult, scary or uncomfortable, but I like it. I haven't suffered from the same level of mental distress you've mentioned but we all have our dark hours. It's extremely interesting to me that music helps you rise above those issues because for me it's pretty much the opposite. I dive deeper and deeper mentally - sometimes that uncovers horrors and pain - but it's usually incredibly cathartic for me. Other ways to reduce the amount of distraction is to either listen to music that has no lyrics, minimal lyrics, or is in a language you do not know.
I generally can view symptoms as external to myself by diving deep down. I guess for me it's about finding a place of inner peace away from voices or other external forces where I can just... be.It's extremely interesting to me that music helps you rise above those issues because for me it's pretty much the opposite. I dive deeper and deeper mentally - sometimes that uncovers horrors and pain - but it's usually incredibly cathartic for me.
I've also been meditating for many years and the main benefit (I can actually feel) is just that escape from the external distractions. It's such a massive relief to get away from the oppressive assault on your senses and your attention in particular. It's a weird contradiction that music helps me do the same too, since it's engaging your sense of hearing, but I think sound is particularly subtle; more than anything else.